Nurse strike: longer day shifts tip exhausted staff over the edge
Posted 26 June 2024 - 14:30
Longer days shifts compel 50 ‘chronically overworked’ theatre nurses at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust to strike for two days in protest
A total of 50 ‘exhausted’ theatre nurses are set to strike for two days over longer day shifts aimed at tackling the surgery backlog, because staff say they are at ‘crisis point.’
Day surgery theatre nurses at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSST), say they are ‘chronically overworked’ and have ‘patient safety concerns’ as shifts are set to be extended until 9pm.
Theatre staff set to strike on Thursday 27 June and Tuesday 2 July
The nurses, who are members of Unite, will walk out on 27 June and 2 July.
‘Staff in the day surgery units at Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals are striking because they are tired of having their concerns over burnout and patient safety repeatedly ignored by managers’
Nurse, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Weekend shifts were first introduced by the trust to to tackle the backlog of operations on theatre lists and support demand. Shifts were later extended from 7pm to 8pm, and more recently day shifts have been further extended to 9pm.
One nurse said: ‘Staff in the day surgery units at Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals are striking because they are tired of having their concerns over burnout and patient safety repeatedly ignored by managers.
‘The situation has now reached crisis point, with nurses feeling like they have no option but to strike to protect themselves and their patients.’
Nurses ‘already running on fumes and working beyond their shifts,’ says union
In May 2022 the trust announced the launch of high intensity theatre lists – known as HIT lists – to carry out operations at the weekend to help reduce the backlog for non-emergency surgery caused by the pandemic.
The HIT lists target certain procedures at one time, using two theatres at once and reducing the turnaround times between cases. However, the trust insists the HIT lists are not related to the current dispute.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Guy’s and St Thomas’ theatre nurses are already running on fumes. They are working beyond their shifts to ensure patients are cared for properly.
‘Our members understand the pressure the NHS is under, but working staff until they break is not the answer. Guy’s and St Thomas’ leadership must find another way.'
The union say further industrial action will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved.
Trust ‘disappointed’ with strike action while ‘constructive talks are ongoing’
A GSST spokesperson said: ‘We are disappointed that Unite are continuing with these strikes while constructive talks are ongoing. We would urge them to call off this action so we can continue making progress on improving the shift patterns for our highly valued and important theatre nurses.
‘We are working closely with colleagues to plan for the impact of this strike, and any changes to patient care will be communicated directly to patients and via our usual public channels as appropriate.’
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